Gmail security tips

Follow the steps below to help keep your Gmail account secure. 

If you think someone has unauthorized access to your account, reset your password immediately.

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Step 1: Complete a security checkup

Start by visiting the Security Checkup page to do things like adding account recovery options, setting up 2-Step Verification for extra account security, and checking your account permissions.

Start my Security Checkup

Step 2: Follow these Gmail security tips

Choose a strong password

First, learn how to create a strong password.

Then, change your password.

1. Visit the Account Security page.
2. Click Password.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Check your Gmail settings

There are a few settings you can check to make sure nobody else has access to your emails.

1. Using a browser, open Gmail.
2. In the top right, click Settings See all settings.
3. Click the tabs below to check your settings.

General tab

• Check your signature to make sure the text looks correct.
• Check your vacation responder to make sure the text looks correct, and that it isn't turned on if you don't need it to be.

Accounts and Import tab

• Check "Send mail as" to make sure all the email addresses listed belong to you.
• Check "Grant access to your account" to see that no unknown people have access to your account.
• Check "Check mail from other accounts (using POP3)" to make sure all the email addresses listed belong to you.

Filters and Blocked Addresses tab

• Check to make sure mail isn't being automatically forwarded to an unknown account using a "Forward to" filter.
• Check that any filters that automatically delete messages ("Delete it") were set up by you.

Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab

• Check that your messages aren't being forwarded to an unknown account.
• Verify that your POP or IMAP settings are correct.

Check for an update and see the current browser version on your computer

1. On your computer, open Chrome .
2. At the top right, click More .
3. Click Help About Google Chrome.

The current version number is the series of numbers beneath the "Google Chrome" heading. Chrome will check for updates when you're on this page.

Click Relaunch to apply any available update.

Report scams, spam, and phishing

If you get a suspicious email that asks you for personal or financial information, don't reply or click on any links in the message.

Learn how to block unwanted emails or avoid and report scams.

Related resources

• Gmail Security and Privacy Settings